Thread: Best motor for conversion

A guy in the US puts Mercedes diesels into series trucks. Have a look at www.seriestrek.com.
Apparently there's a bit of work involved.
I am currently putting a Peugeot xd2s into a series one. Looking forward to firing it up soon.

As you say, anything Toyota come with a gold plated price tag.

From what I have seen, truck spec diesels like the Mazda will go forever. If you look in driveline parts for sale, there is a chap with a ferguson 5-speed for sale.

The easiest and simplest conversion would be Land Rovers own 200 Tdi unit. As you are using a LWB, the ideal box behind that would be an R380 gearbox, coupled to the later LT230 transfer case. The R380 is a good box so puts its value up. The other option is the earlier LT77 gearbox (which copes with a 200Tdi when std but not if opened up).. Both are 5 speed, and both accept the LT230. The Tdi will bolt straight onto the existing chassis engine mounts, (and to your Series gearbox if you want to do the conversion bit by bit). I would suggest a transfer case ratio of 1.222:1 and 3.54:1 diffs. Assuming you have a Salisbury rear axle you'd need to change the ring, pinion and carrier when going from your existing 4.7:1 ratio to the later 3.54:1 ratio. Your other option is to leave the diffs std and use a 1.003:1 ratio transfer case. These are found in early 3 speed auto Range Rovers and are becoming harder to find... Hope this helps. Cheers for now. Simon.

I've got a defender 300tdi to put into mine, but I'm not 100% sure it's the right way to go

You might want to read some of this.

Teflon's Torque - LR Engine Convs - Engine Conversions - Motive Power Sources: What Fits; What Works; What's 'Best'

Isuzu 4BD1t

Originally Posted by jerryd

I've got a defender 300tdi to put into mine, but I'm not 100% sure it's the right way to go

You might want to read some of this.

Teflon's Torque - LR Engine Convs - Engine Conversions - Motive Power Sources: What Fits; What Works; What's 'Best'

Its the right way to go. Just use a box that's designed to sit behind a Tdi, and use a full time four wheel drive transfer box like the LT230. Those that say you can't run Series front axles full time... Have you tried it? I have, twice now over big kms without drama. Yes, you get a small amount of feedback thru the steering when in first or second gear on full lock. Jerryd, it'll be a great conversion!

cheers fellas ill try the 200tdi, can pick up discovery's pretty cheap around the $1000 mark, is there much wiring involved, the least amount of wiring the better

i am on a small budget

Next to none... The coil wire becomes the fuel shut off solenoid wire, if you buy a Disco then the battery, alternator and everything else is there. You'll need a fuel return line into the tank, and someone who's good at modifying the props for you. There'll b a bit of metal fab around the gearbox tunnel, and you,ll have to make a bespoke exhaust out of the Disco bits. One of the Diffs will fit straight into your front axle then you just have the Salisbury to gear up. Let us all know when you've found the donor vehicle, and get a thread going.. There'll be loads with pointers, assistance and input! If you were nearer I'd come give u a hand! I've got a thread going in "Projects and Tutorials" called 'SWMBO's Ser 2 Tdi, The Beginning'.. Doing a chassis up build for the wife.. There's not too much to see yet as the 101 got in the way but it might help!

yeah cheers, ill start looking for a disco

if it has high k's would it be worth rebuilding, or do these motors go forever